Dylan and Will McMahon: brothers behind the UK’s only baby milk producer
Instead of hanging out with venture capitalists or tech entrepreneurs as they used to, brothers Dylan and Will McMahon, and their father, Ross, headed to the Liverpool baby and toddler show last weekend to talk to parents about infant formula.
Their family business, Kendal Nutricare, founded in 2015, is the only British baby milk producer, competing against multinational food giants Danone and Nestlé. UK market share for their Kendamil brand has jumped from 0.5% in April 2020 to more than 10% now.
Royal endorsements have helped: the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge used its follow-on milk and porridge when they were weaning Prince Louis, and Kendamil had a further boost last month when it contributed 2m cans to Operation Fly Formula, Joe Biden’s presidential mission to tackle a sudden baby milk shortage in the US. The brothers hope to convert the temporary waiver secured from the US regulator into permanent approval to sell to American parents.
Working together seven days a week “makes for interesting Christmas dinners,” says Dylan, head of growth at the Lake District-based business. “Friday-night beers now mean different conversations from what we were having a couple of years ago – less talk about the Formula One, more talk about formula generally.”
Age 26
Family Long-term partner Hannah.
Education De La Salle College, Dundalk; University College Dublin (business & law).
Pay £50,000
Last holiday A long weekend in Marrakech just as Eid al-Fitr began.
Best advice he’s been given “When things gets tough, think what a great story it will make. That’s from Dad.”
Biggest career mistake “I tried my hand at investment banking but swiftly realised (as did my colleagues) that my talents were more in people than PowerPoint.”
Word he overuses “
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